The team at Earthscape Studio prioritized harmony with the site’s natural environment. “We didn’t want to harm nature or cut down any trees,” explains lead architect Petchimuthu Kennedy. Instead, the house’s design was guided by the placement of existing trees like mango, coconut, and nutmeg. Earthscape created a grid system to map the forest, allowing the home’s form to emerge naturally within the wooded landscape.
Earthscape Studio used locally produced materials to give the house its distinct character. The walls are built with sithu kal bricks—small, three-layered bricks traditionally used in Tamil Nadu's Madras terrace roofing. This regional technique, which optimizes rainwater drainage through a series of sloping layers, is no longer widely practiced. By employing local artisans to produce these bricks, the studio helped support the community and preserve a fading craft.
The Wendy House also includes recycled rods, broken tiles, and soil from the site itself, reinforcing the studio's dedication to sustainable practices. “We wanted no steel or concrete in our structure, relying on the strength of the catenary vault shape for stability,” says Kennedy.
Inside, the Wendy House maintains an open, airy plan with views of a central courtyard and pond. Glass walls framed with recycled rods face inward, inviting natural light and offering serene views of the courtyard from all areas. The interiors feature built-in furniture crafted from recycled rods and waste wood, adding to the home’s sustainable ethos.
The photography is by Syam Sreesylam
